The Russian National Guard is the government’s internal military force, comprising an independent agency that reports directly to the President. The National Guard was established on the basis of the Interior Ministry Troops in April 2016 by a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin. The National Guard units are responsible for securing the country’s borders, enforcing gun control, combatting terrorism and organized crime, upholding public order, in addition to guarding key state facilities. This photo gallery put together by TASS will illustrate the daily grind of Russia’s National Guard.